The Trump Era

Spero

Republican Rep. Ted Poe of Texas has left the House Freedom Caucus after the group of Tea Party-oriented Republicans opposed the American Health Care Act, which had received support from House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) as a replacement for Obamacare. A vote on what has come to be termed “Ryancare” was scheduled for a vote on Friday, but was pulled because of opposition it faced from the Freedom Caucus and other Republicans.

"I have resigned from the House Freedom Caucus," Poe said in a statement. "In order to deliver on the conservative agenda we have promised the American people for eight years, we must come together to find solutions to move this country forward. Saying no is easy, leading is hard, but that is what we were elected to do. Leaving this caucus will allow me to be a more effective Member of Congress and advocate for the people of Texas. It is time to lead."

The Freedom Caucus does not publish the names of its members. However, among those who had acknowledged their membership are Reps. Joe Barton, Louie Gohmert, and Randy Weber.

Poe supported the bill and planned to vote yes for the bill. The proposed healthcare reform was also supported by President Trump. But the bill did not make it to a vote because Freedom Caucus wanted even further dismantling of Obamacare. The Texan seemed to criticize his colleagues for the bill’s postponement. "Some only want to be the party of 'no' & would've voted against the 10 commandments," Poe tweeted.

President Trump tweeted his unhappiness over the fate of the bill. "Democrats are smiling in D.C. that the Freedom Caucus, with the help of Club for Growth and Heritage, have saved Planned Parenthood & Ocare!"